Liquid meter



Feb. 7, 192a; 1,658,038

H. D. BUDDE LIQUID METER Filed Sept. 10. 1923 v Z'Sheets-Sheet 1 I .23 21 30 c 24 22 26 {B Hlll Hill

\ A INVENTOR HARRY D.BUDDE ATTORNEY G I 'C n I 28 Feb. 7, 1928.

H. D. BUDDE I LIQUID METER File. Sept. I0. 1923 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvamon HARRY usuom:

BY I ATTORNEY Patented F eb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY D. BUDDE, 01' 8'1. lLOUIB, IISSOUBI.

moon) un'rn'n.

Application filed September 10, 1923. .Berlal H0. 881,772.

M invention relates to a' liquid meter and particularly to a meter adapted to-measure the amount of fuel used by an internal combustion engine such as is used for drlvlng motor vehicles. The registering mechanism of my device is provided not only with a shown.

The object of myinvention is to provide improved electrical means for operating the valves of the measuring chamber of the device. The measuring float is thus relieved of all work except opening and closing the circuits controlling the valves, and conseuently not only the accuracy but also the rellahility of the device is greatly increased.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form of liquid .meter made in accordance with my invention Figure 1 is partly a vertical section and partly a diagram; Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2+2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the vent valves; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the registering mechanism.

The numeral 5 indicates the outer chamber of the measurin device which is preferablg cylindrical in orm and is provided wit a discharge pipe 6 leading to the carbureter (not shown). Within the chamber 5 the measuring chamber 7 is sup orted ona sleeve 8 forming an extension 0 the inlet pipe 9.

from the fuel tank (not shown). For convenience in. construction the cover of the allow the passage of air into and out of the -measuring device consists of two parts,fan'

annular member 10'and a flanged disc .11. Within the chamber 7 is the measuring float 12 secured to a stem 13 which controls the.

into the extension 8 of the supply pipe and functions as an inlet valve. alve stems 16 passing through the disc 11 carry the valves 14 and 15 and normally hold them in closed position by means of light coil springs'lf.

The chambers 5 and 7 are each provided with a vent 18 (Fig. 3) whichis normally 0 to .cally in i chamber but is adapted tobe closed by a float valve 19, shown in detail in Figure 3, if through, any failure of-the apparatus to properly function, the chamber becomes completely full of gasoline.

Carried a short distanceabove the top of the. measuring chamber, by any suitable means (not shown) is a support 20 upon which is mounted theelectrical controlling devices. 21 and 22 are electromagnets provided with armatures 23 and 24 respectively,

each having a pair of adjustable contact points. Oneof the contact oints of the armature 23 is adapted to stri e the end of the valve stem 16 carrying the valve 14 and thus open the said valve, while the other is adapted'to open a'switch 25. In like manner the armature 24 controls the valve 15 and Ya switch 26. It will be understood that the armatures 23 and 24 and the switches 25, and

26 are returned to normal position by any.

suitable means, such as springs (not shown). The winding of the magnet 21 forms'part of an electric circuit A, the ends of which are connected at points 27 and 28 to the batter circuit D. and switch circuit C. The switc 26 is in circuit with the magnet 21'. The circuit'B includes the winding of the magnet .22 and has one end connected at point 27 with the battery circuit D and the other to one terminal of the switch 25 through switch circuit E. Switch 25 is in circuit with the magnet 22. The circuit C is connected at one end to one terminal of the switch 26, and at the other to an adjustable contact--30. The circuit E is connected at one ,end to one terminal of the switch 25, and at the other to contact 32. The remaining contacts'of the switches 25 and 26 are connected by -circuits F and F at points 33' and 33to conductorD A branch circuit G connects the movable contact 31, attached to the float, with the battery circuit D. A circuit H, controlling the registering mechanism, connects to battery circuit D 'at point 29 and at point 34 to circuit C to contact 30. Amanually operated switch 35 is preferablyplaced in-the battery circuit, D and D to cut out the battery when the device is not in use. The re re comprises two sets of reglisteningl w eels 86 an 3'1. The wheels 36 form t e register and referabl record in .gallons, while the whee 37 re erably record in gallons and'tenths of one device, shown diagramativ The wheels 37 may be manually set forward '35 into battery circuit D and branch G "across contacts 31. and 32 into switch circuit and 32. During t and have their numerals arran 'ed in reverse order from those of the wheels 36 so as to subtract while the latter are adding.

by a milled head 38 without disturbing the wheels 36 each time fuel is fed into the tanks,

sothatthe amount indicated by the wheels 37 will at all times indicate the amount of fuel in the tanks. The wheels 36 and 37 are driven by gearing 39 controlled by an escapement wheel 40 and pawl 41, the latter being actuated by a magnet 42 the winding of which forms art of the circuit H here inbefore describe a a The operation of my device is as follows; assuming the measurin" chamber 7 to be empty, the float 12 will e at the bottom of said chamber causing contact 31 to come against the contact 32. Current will now flow from the battery through closed switch E, thence to circuit B including the magnet winding 22 and back to battery through battery circuit D at point 27. This will cause the magnet 22 to" draw down its armature 24, as shown in Figure 1, opening the inlet valve -15 and also 0 ening the switch 26 which is m the circuit of magnet 21, thereby allowing liquid to flow through open valve 15 into measuring chamber 7, and not allowing any current to flow through magnet 21 through the open switch 26. As the fuel fills the measuring chamber 7 the float 12 will rise, breaking1 the contact between 31 e operation valve14 and switch 25 remain closed. -When contacts 31 and 32 are broken bythe rising float, ,cur rent will continue to flow through magnet way of circuit F through closed swltc 25 into circuit B including magnet 22 back to battery through circuit D. Thls' operation will keep magnet 22 energized, whlch will hold down its armature 24', thereby keeping valve 15 and switch 26 open. As the float rises to its predetermined level,

contact 31 attached to float 12 will strike contact 30 allowing current from battery to flow through; circuit D and bran'chcircuit G across contacts 31 and 30 into switch circult O, thence to circuit A including the magnet winding 21 and back to battery through battery circuit D at will cause the magnet 21 to.

and also opening the switch 25 which is in the circuit of ma of switch 25 takes place, current is out o from magnet 22 allowing armature 24 to disen ge; and valve 15 will close, and

switc 26 closes to continue allowing current to flow through magnet 21. The outlet yalve 14 now being open the fluid will flow into chamber 5, thence to carburetor. As the fluid flows from chamber 7 to chamber 5 point 27. This raw down its I armature 23 opening the outlet valve 14,

gnet 22. As the opening Leashes the float 12 willfall, breaking contact 31 and 30, but current will continue to flow through magnet winding 21 to hold down armature 23, by way of battery circuit D into circuit F through closed switch 26 into circuit ,A

through circuit D. This operation will keep magnet 21 energized, which will hold down its armature 23, thereby keepin valve 14 and switch 25 open. The cham er 7 continues to empty and float 12 falls until contact 31 strikes contact 32, when the above described cycle of operation is repeated. Each time the float rises and contact 31 is made with 30, current flows from battery through circuit D and branch G across contact 30 into circuit H, which includes magnet winding 42 of the registering, mechamsm.

As the magnet 42 is energized it attracts an. armature which drives a' ratchet and pawl connected with proper gear ratio to counter wheels, registermg'each tlme chamber 7 is filled up. w 4

Having fully described, my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States isi 1. Ina device of the class described, the

the soleincluding saidelectro-magnets, contact controlling means operated by the float, and a pair of switches, each controlled by one of the electro-magnets, whereby the operationof a valve is dependent on the combined action of the float and switches.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a measuring chamber provided with inlet' and outlet openings, vof a float therein, independently movable inlet and outlet valves or said 0 enings, a pair of electromagnets severally orming the'sole control of said valves, circuits including said.

electro-mafgnets, switches in said circuits, an armature or each magnet controlling one of said switches, and circuit controls operated by the-float, whereby the operation of the valves is dependent on the combined action of the valves and switches.

combination with a measuring chamber provided with inlet and outlet" openings, of a float therein, circuit opening and closing means operated by said float, independently movable inlet and outlet valves for saidopenings, yielding means for each valve normally holding'it in one position, a pair of electro-magnets forming'the sole means for moving and holding said valves against said yielding means, a pair of switches each oontrolled by one of said electro-ma'gnets, and circuits each independently controlled by the 3. In a device of the class described, the

70 including magnet 21 and back to battery' pendently movab nous pas vided with inlet and outletropenings, of a float therein, circuit vopening and closing means operated b e valves for said openings, yielding means for each valve normally holding it in one position, a pair of electromagnets for movingand holding said valves against said yielding means, circuits including said electromagnets, circuit of each magnet and controlled by the movement of the other magnet, each circuit being controlledby the combined action of the float and one of said switches.

5. In a device of the class ,described,-the

combination with a measuring'chamber provided with inlet and outlet openings, of a float therein, circuit opening and closing means operated by said float, a pair of independently movable valves forsaid openings,

springs for holding said valves in closed position a pair of electro-magnets each provided with an armature adapted to open and v said float, a pair of indeand a switch in the" hold one of said valves but movable independently of it, switches controlled by said 'electro-magnets, electro-magnets bined action of switches. r

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a measuring chamber provided with inlet and outlet openings, of a fi'oat therein, circuit opening vand closing means 0 erated b said float, a pair of independent y movab e valves for said openings springs for holding said valves in close position, a-pair of electro magnets each pro-i vided with an armature adapted to open and hold one of said valves but movable independently of it, circuits including said electromagnets, and a switch in each magnet circuit and controlled by the movement of the armatureof the other magnet, each circuit and controlled by the comcontrolled by the combined action of the float and one. of the switches.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

" HARRY 1). BUDDE.

and circuits including'said I 30. the float and one of the 

